Hardangervidda: four-day hike «Best in the West»

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This is a four day’s hike taking you through the beautiful Hardangervidda West. On the route are the top attractions in the western part of Hardangervidda: Husedalen, Hårteigen and Trolltunga. Husedalen is a valley with four big waterfalls. Mount Hårteigen is the highest point in Ullensvang 1,690 masl (reaching the top of Hårteigen requires some climbing, and you have to decide for yourself if you are able to do this safely. Troltunga makes a good end to this route. If you only want a day trip to Trolltunga, read about it here.

Lodges on the route:Stavali, 1024 masl. Self-serviced, all year open lodge. Caretaker there in July and August.Torehytta 1330 masl. Self-serviced, locked with the DNT key. Members of the Norwegian Trekking Association can order the key online.Tyssevassbu 1319 masl. Self-serviced, locked with the DNT key. Members of the Norwegian Trekking Association can order the key online.

Buses:Skyss bus line 990 between Kinsarvik and Odda-Tyssedal. TimetableSkyss bus line 995 between Odda-Tyssedal and Skjeggedal. Timetable

Taxi:Kinsarvik tel (+47) 97 57 26 04Odda tel (+47) 53 64 14 44

Parking:Kinsarvik: next to the town hall (60.374771, 6.721917), or by the bridge crossing the river Vivippo (60.363347, 6.744060). Parking in Skjeggedal (NOK 200 per day) or Tyssedal (Tyssohallen NOK 100 per day)Map: Hardangervidda West, 1:50.000. Buy hiking maps at the local tourist offices, or order a map online, or by e-mailing the Norwegian Trekking Association at turinfo@dntoslo.no.

This is a hike in the Norwegian high mountains. What you need to know before hiking in Hardangervidda:

In Hardangervidda you are in the wilderness. There are no shops, doctors, restaurants, ATMs, or telephones. You can be several days hiking from the nearest road.

You can buy provisions and stay overnight the lodges operated by the Norwegian Trekking Association. You can pay by leaving a cash payment, or by filling out a payment form. In the staffed lodges you can pay by debit or credit card. Read more here.

Hiking is possible when Hardangervidda is snow free, normally in July and August. Winter can come quickly and without mercy, even early in September.

Do not put yourself and others at risk by hiking outside the season, or by not being properly prepared and equipped. Every year there are tourists who are rescued by local volunteers.

Bring warm, water and wind proof clothing. The weather in the high mountains is different from the weather down by the fjords. Be prepared for low temperatures, also in the summer. Weather can change rapidly and unpredictably. It can be good weather down by the fjord, and be foggy and cold in the mountains.

Always have a topographical map (in at least scale 1:100.000) and compass (and even a GPS). In Norway, even if a trail is marked, it can be difficult to see it, and a map and compass enables you to orientate. Be especially aware of fog in Hardangervidda, which is not a problem in lower areas.

Buy hiking maps at the local tourist offices, or order a map online, or by e-mailing the Norwegian Trekking Association at turinfo@dntoslo.no.You can also print you own topographical map (for free) in scale 1:25.000 or 1:50.000 by using an online map tool. The quality of hiking maps for sale is much better, as the paper quality is weather proof. The maps for sale contain more relevant information about marked trails, estimated time for the marked trails, mountain lodges etc.

If you travel on a low budget and do not want to spend money on appropriate clothing and map and compass, it is best to take day hikes, see list of all our beautiful hikes here.

Distances in the wilderness are given in time, NOT kilometers. Norwegian standard walking time is a fast pace. You will find this information given in hours in tour descriptions and in hiking maps. You need to add time to the standard walking time, and also add time for breaks. Which means that an 6 hour hike is really a full day's hike. An 8 hour hike is long day’s hike. Be aware of height differences; 4 km in even landscape is very different in 4 km with an ascent of 1,000 meters! Downhill is just as demanding as uphill, especially if you carry a heavy back pack.

If you plan to hike several days in Hardangervidda, you need to be physically fit for it.

You have no access to electricity in the mountains; bring enough batteries. You use more power in cold weather.

You do NOT have mobile coverage in the mountains, and NO access to internet. If something happens, you will most likely not be able to phone for help. It can be several days hiking to the nearest road.

As a rule you can drink water in Hardangervidda, but there is no guarantee that it is safe. Be especially aware of the water in areas where many people go (like the trail to Trolltunga), and in smaller ponds.

Take all waste with you.

Nature in the high mountains is extremely vulnerable. Do not disturb animals and birds, do not destroy vegetation.

From 15th April to 15th September making fire near or in woodlands is prohibited.

If you fish in lakes and streams and rivers you need a permit from the land owner. Buy fishing permits online or at the lodges in Hardangervidda, or at the local tourist offices.